Cleaning your machine
 

Has anyone ever used the 'can of air', the kind you use on the compute, when you want to clean all the lint from under your machine? I've sewed some fleece this year and it really is linty underneith where I can't get. I have a Brother but don't want to hurt anything. i won't be able to get it in for a good cleaning for a few months due to project. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.

I've heard its not good to use the can air on a computerized machine, because you are just pushing the lint further back on to the computer boards, so I've always taken mine in to the shop for cleaning.

I've been told never to use the canned air for cleaning lint out of your machine. It can get lodged elsewhere and create problems.

I have heard that we should NOT use it. It contains moisture that could rust you machine. I put the nozzle end on my Dustbuster and suck out the lint.

use dental floss, chenille stems, anything BUT canned air...

use the vaccum cleaner You can get small tip attachments for it. Or you might blow it downward and not up into the body of the machine. Perhaps you can make a funnel type gadget out of plastic or cardboard to vaccum into the machine.

My dealer told me not to use canned air, dont even blow in it. She said that if you cant reach it, leave it.

As everyone else has mentioned, do not use canned air!

It's fairly easy to clean it with your vacuum cleaner even if you don't have the specialty attachments. Just duct tape a straw to the crevice tool of your vacuum cleaner. You can poke the straw in to suck out lots of lint.

I like your idea. Thanks

okay, love the straw hint, will keep that in mind.... but i have used the canned air but was always told to put the nozzle in around the bobbin threading area and from any top open areas and any bottom open areas... never from the front areas

Thank you for this information, I was going to get "can air".

I to was told no canned air!!!

Dont' do it...bet it would void a warranty.

Definitely do not use the canned air! I have the small vacuum attachments and use them every time I clean my machine. Also do not blow into the machine, as the moist air you blow in is not good for your machine.

I've been told to never use it because there is oil in the air used to put it under pressure. Not sure if that is true but I have never taken chances with it.

Ive been blowing in my machine~oops:eek:. Guess Ill pull out the Dyson he can get in there and clean it out for me.

I use a makeup brush. I don't use makeup so I'm not sure what it's called, I think it's for a light powder at then. Real poofy, it gets in all the little nooks and cranies. Clean the brush by just flicking it across the side of your sewing table and it's ready to go again.

I guess I should mention it doesn't have to be duct tape. I've used blue painter's tape on the crevice tool, and that would probably be easier to remove completely than duct tape or masking tape. Nowadays I always have blue painter's tape on hand in my sewing room because I keep a circle of it next to my sewing machine so I can lay my thread ends on it.

I never use canned air as it really only blows around any lint. Pipe cleaners are easy to fit into the machine. Then vaccume. It doesn't take much time and the machine will really be clean. Also remember to clean the feed dogs. On most machines these can be taken out so that you can clean under them. A toothbrush removes lint from the top.

cleaning your machine
 

I have used the canned air, but was told to use it from the bottom up, and I found there is an opening on the bottom where I can squirt the can so lint comes up and out rather than being blown down. It works well that way.

You don't want to use canned air because 1) it pushes the dust into the computer chips and after a while could cause them to over heat and be damaged; 2) it has condensation that can build up and rust the internal parts of your machine. Also, love the straw idea witht the sweeper but remember to not stick the straw too far towards the right side of your machine. The right side of your machine is where the computer chips are and if any are loose, you could loosen them further and cause your machine to malfunction (ie: major dollars for replacement chips). I have often used a Q-tip because the fuzzy sticks to it and I can gently lift out most of the fuzzies. You can also use soft thin paint brushes to pick up the fuzzies.

I used the canned air one time and was so worried while using it. I knew you weren't suppose to use it but I was desperate. Well, it didn't hurt anything, but I have never done it again. I have a 830 Bernina and I was just lucky I didn't cause any damage. I like the straw idea also. I think I am going to try that today. It needs to go to the shop but I'm in a frenzy trying to get my quilts done for Christmas and have no time to travel 1 1/2 hours to my dealer to get it cleaned.

I heard the same thing about canned air - but don't they make battery operated vacuums for computers - would that work????

I do use the canned air on my machine .... but only in those places where I can blow away from moving parts. So, if I am doing the tension areas of my machine I firmly cover the bobbin area before using the can so I don't force any lint or 'stuff' into where I definitely don't want it.

Watch the repair person work on your machine. They all use compressed air. They know how to use it correctly and will even tell you how to do it yourself.

ali

I agree with all that says not to use this. It is not good for the machine.

Thanks to everyone for the good advise. I get it NO CAN AIR!! Your alternative ideas are great. I knew you all would come through with good answers.

The dealer that sold my machine uses an ordinary air compressor to blow our the lint. I watched him . I wonder if you could use a hair dryer? It wouldn't be moist air or have oil in the air. Our air compressor is a huge thing and too bulky to bring inside the house.

I use chenille pipe cleaners that are sold for crafts. I also remove the plate after each project take out the bobbin & the shuttle and give it a good brush with the chenille stick. It's amazing how much lint I get out. I was once congratulated by a machine mechanic for having the cleanest machine he had ever seen. Maybe that why I had my first machine (a Lemair) for over 30 years. I believe if I look after them properly and keep them serviced they will last.

I use it on my Juki only as its bobbin race is open. Never had a problem. My Bernina I use tooth brushes and samll pieces of wool batting to catch the lint behind things, Feed it in to those tight places with tweezers.
MaryKatherine

I was told not to use the air can. I have a brother 4000D. Yesterusday I had a problem and my hubby and I unscrewed the top part and cleaned out the thread. Also unscrewed the bottom area and cleaned if your dont want to do that just use a pipe cleaner to poke around you will be amazed at what comes out.

You NEVER want to use canned air on your machines, it will force the lint back and pack it in, and you will have real trouble then. What you want is an attachment to your vacuum cleaner, they sell them at sewing stores or computer stored, you want to vacuum the lint OUT, not pack it in...and use a brush under the throat plate first to loosen threads and such. If your machine requires oil, only oil after thoroughly cleaned, otherwise, you might be down until you can purchase a new machine. Don't even ask me how I know all this....:)

I have a Brother and I use it all the time just try to blow it away from other working parts but it works great. I also use it to blow out other hard to get to places.

I have two friends who are certified techs for Bernina and they use canned air all the time when we are at retreats. In the shop the techs us a compressor to blow out the dust. My understanding is that the air form a can or compressor is fine but if you blow w/your mouth it tends to push the lint further in the machine rather than out of the machine.

I agree that I have heard not to used canned air for the machine, especially closed areas in electronic machines. I have not tried the mini-vacuums though I have the attachments. I do use the lint brush.

My dealer also uses a compressor. Told me to take my machines out to my hubbies shop and use his once a month to really blow it out, then in between times to the shop, the canned air is fine. Knock on wood........I've never had any trouble.

I have never used canned air on any machine so I am clueless as to whether you should or should not use it.

They sell a cool sewing machine cleaning tool package that fits on your home vac. The kit has adapters in it so that it attaches to the home vac and then converts so you can hook up little nozzles and brushes. It allows access to those tiny places in your machine. I bought it when I bought my Serger. Works great!

Interesting- I just happened to be in the bernina shop talking to my machine maintance man while he was cleaning a machine and he was using canned air. This is a very reputable bernina dealer and has been opened for 30 years. I wonder if there's a certain way you should use it? The one thing I noticed is that I didn't see him do anything for the $70 fee that I don't think I could do at home myself. But, out of the fear that I'm missed something really important that he was doing, I keep taking it there.

Every repairman I know advises against using canned air, especially on the newer computerized machines. This is because the canned air can force the lint further into the machine and computerized parts and create havoc.

My dealer told me to use Q-tips to clean the lint on my machines. Never to blow into the machine in any way because this blows the lint farther into the machine as well as blowing moisture into the machine, causing rust.
Then to use a sewing machine oil.

I have used canned air several times. I have not had anything go wrong with my Brother. What kinds of problems would the canned air create? I will remember the vacuum cleaner hint the next time my husband drags out the Rain-bow. It is so cumbersome we have a small Bissell that we use in between heavy-duty cleanings. The Rainbow would definitely pull every bit of dust out of the sewing machine in no time. Good idea!